Selectively interconnectable watchcase and strap construction

ABSTRACT

An improved watchcase construction in which the wrist strap is carried by a strap-retaining element slidably engageable with an end wall of the case bezel. The bezel includes channel-forming means in a rectilinear wall thereof, and the strap-retaining element includes an elongated channel-engaging member interconnected by a web portion to the remaining parts of the element. Detent means is provided to maintain the two elements in fully assembled condition, as is stop means for determining said position.

D United States v te wt Inventor Melvin Arlen" 166-25 Powell Cove B|Vd.,Beechhurst, N.Y. 14609 Appl. No. 850,392

Filed Aug. 15, 1969 Patented June 29, 1971 SELECTWELY INTERCONNECTAIBLEWATCHCASE AND STRAP CONSTRUCTION 1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figs.

52 uscl 224/4 E, 24/265 EC 511 1nt.CL AMc 5/00 50 Field of Search 24/265EC, 265 ws; 63/3, 4; 224/45 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,467,465 9/1923 Wiedmann 63/3 x 2,185,736 1/1940 Prestinari 24/265 WS2,612,139 9/1952 Collins 63/3 X 3,165,884 1/1965 Gwinner et al. 224/45 XPrimary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerJerold M. ForsbergAttorney-Charles E. Temko ACT: An improved watchcase construction inwhich the wrist strap is carried by a strap-retaining element slidably'engageable with an end wall of the case bezel. The bezel includeschannel-forming means in a rectilinear wall thereof, and thestrap-retaining element includes an elongated channel-engaging memberinterconnected by a web portion to the remaining parts of the element.Detent means is provided to maintain the two elements in fully assembledcondition, as is stop means for determining said position.

PATENTEU JUN29I971 3' 589,575

SELECTIVELY INTERCONNECTABLII WA'llClllCASE AND STRAP CONSTRUCTION Thisinvention relates generally to the field of jewelry, and moreparticularly to an improved watchcase construction in which the wriststrap element may be conveniently detached, so that another strap may besubstituted without the use of tools and the like. The construction isparticularly useful when it is desired to use a strap in which theconventional buckle is eliminated, or where it is desired toconveniently substitute a more decorative watch band for a lessdecorative strap, depending upon the requirements of a particularoccasion.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide acombination watchcase and strap-retaining means in which the two ends ora strap of fixed length may be provided with case-engaging meansselectively interconnectable with the side surfaces of a watchcase orbezel.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedstructure of the class described which may present an unusuallyattractive and novel appearance owing to the elimination of conventionalbuckle means. 4

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedwatchcase and strap-retaining construction in which the means forinterconnecting the watchcase with the strap-engaging means is of a veryminute size, so as to be practically invisible when the watch is worn.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedwatch clasp construction which may be manipulated conveniently using thefingers of only a single hand.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the ready adaptability ofthe strap-retaining means to any type of conventional strap, bracelet orthe like.

These objects and feature, as well as other incidental ends andadvantages, will more fully appear in theprogress of the followingdisclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a similar view thereof showing the disengagement of one end ofa strap from the watchcase or bezel.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the case or bezel.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view, showing the component parts inaltered relative position as in FIGURE 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the details ofthe means interconnecting the case and strapretaining elements.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view corresponding to the plane 6-6 in FIGURE 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a detached strap-retaining element.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10, comprises broadly: a case element 11 and astrap-retaining element 12.

The case element 11 is illustrated in the drawing as being of generallyrectangular configuration, but it will be understood by those skilled inthe art to which the invention pertains, that with minor modificationthe case may also be of circular, oval or other desired shape. The bezelportion thereof includes a rectangular frame 21 having a front wall 22,sidewalls 23 and 24, as well as end walls 25 and 26. At least one of theend walls 25, 26 is provided with an elongated channel 27 commencing atan open end 28 and terminating at a closed end 29. The channel may be ofgenerally rectangular cross section for purposes of facilitatingalignment, and bounded by an inner surface 30, side surfaces 31 and 32,and an outer surface 33. A slot 34 interconnects the outer surface 33with an external surface 35. Extending into the channel formed by thesurfaces 30-33 is a detent pin 36 (see FIG. 6) selectively engageablewith a corresponding notch in the strap-retaining element when thelatter is in fully seated position.

The strap-retaining member 12 includes a conventional strap member 38having looped ends 39 retained by conventional pins to a case-engagingmember 41. The member 41 includes a transversely extending base portion42 having end fianges 43 of conventional type. Oppositely disposed fromthe flanges 43 is a channel-engaging portion 45 connected to thetransverse base portion 42 by a web member 46 of length somewhat shorterthan that of the channel-engaging portion 45.

The channel-engaging portion 45 conforms in cross section to the channelformed by the surfaces 30-33, inclusive, and is bounded by side surfaces47, an outer surface 48, and an inner surface 49. An outer end 50 of theportion 45 is terminated by an enlarged head 51 which abuts the open end28 of the channel 27 when engagement is completed. An inner end 52 is oftapered configuration and is flexible to a limited degree by virtue ofthe fact that it is not interconnected to the web 46. A detent slot 53in the end 52 is positioned to engage the pin 36 until such time asmanual disengagement overcomes the resiliency of the end 52, and permitsthe channel-engaging portion 45 to be slid from engagement with thechannel 27.

Where desired, the channel and corresponding channel-engaging member maybe of arcuate configuration, rather than rectilinear configuration,although, in such cases, somewhat greater manipulative skill will berequired to accomplish engagement and disengagement.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the precise details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art to which the invention pertains.

Iclaim:

ll. Selectively interconnectible watchcase and strap constructioncomprising: a case element and a strap retaining element; said caseelement having at least one sidewall, said wall defining an elongatedchannel having a principal axis and a slot having an axis parallel tothat of said channel and communicating therewith; said strap retainingelement including a main body portion having means thereon for engagingthe end of a watch strap, an elongated channel-engaging portion, and aweb member interconnecting said channel-engaging portion to said mainbody portion; said channel-engaging portion being slidably disposedwithin said elongated channel to detachably interconnect said caseelement and said strapretaining element; and resilient detent meanswithin said channel for retaining said elements in engaged condition.

1. Selectively interconnectible watchcase and strap constructioncomprising: a case element and a strap retaining element; said caseelement having at least one sidewall, said wall defining an elongatedchannel having a principal axis and a slot having an axis parallel tothat of said channel and communicating therewith; said strap retainingelement including a main body portion having means thereon for engagingthe end of a watch strap, an elongated channel-engaging portion, and aweb member interconnecting said channel-engaging portion to said mainbody portion; said channel-engaging portion being slidably disposedwithin said elongated channel to detachably interconnect said caseelement and said strap-retaining element; and resilient detent meanswithin said channel for retaining said elements in engaged condition.